Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has responded to Elle Macpherson’s controversial claim that she treated her cancer diagnosis “holistically.”
Schilling, 52, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment as she continues to battle colon cancer, slammed Elle after She claimed that she successfully beat breast cancer rejecting conventional medicine and adopting an alternative “holistic” approach.
“I’m thinking about some things about Elle and the interviews she’s been doing lately, as a relatively new member of the cancer community and as someone who just completed six months of chemotherapy,” Mel said in a video shared on Instagram.
‘Elle revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago and saw over 32 doctors, who advised her to undergo a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.’
“She decided against it and opted for a more holistic, wellness approach, which included things like prayer, meditation, etc.”
Mel added that she did not agree with Elle promoting the alternative medicine approach to cancer treatment instead of the proven medicinal approach, as it could lead to others doing the same.
“I have a problem with Elle Macpherson as a high-profile role model, a woman we aspire to and who sells products.”
“So to me, the message she’s spreading is one that’s riddled with prejudice, arrogance, superiority and privilege. It worries me.”
Married at First Sight expert Mel Schilling has responded to Elle Macpherson’s controversial claim that she treated her cancer diagnosis “holistically”
She ended her post by saying that Elle should be more cautious about the message it sends to “vulnerable” cancer patients.
“My biggest concern is that people will listen to it and then choose not to take the medical route and could be in danger.”
Earlier this week, the Australian supermodel revealed in her upcoming memoir, Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, that she took a holistic approach to her illness, going against doctors’ advice and her family’s wishes.
Schilling, 52, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment as she continues to battle bowel cancer, slammed Elle (pictured) after claiming she successfully beat breast cancer by rejecting conventional medicine and embracing an alternative “holistic” approach.
Talking with Women’s weekly On her diagnosis, she admitted: “It was a shock, unexpected, confusing, overwhelming. It gave me the opportunity to search deep within my inner sense to find a solution that would work for me.”
After undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago, the WelleCo founder was diagnosed with HER2-positive estrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer.
Doctors advised Elle to undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and breast reconstruction.
“The message she’s spreading is riddled with prejudice, arrogance, superiority and privilege. It worries me,” Elle said.
However, Elle decided against turning to traditional medicine, saying it was “a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself, the nature of my body and the course of action I chose.”
Elle said she prayed and meditated on a beach in Miami and concluded she didn’t want to treat her cancer with pharmaceuticals, but rather “an intuitive, holistic, heart-guided approach.”
“Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder,” she explained, adding that she thought chemotherapy and surgery were too “extreme.”
The model, known as The Body in her heyday, said “people thought I was crazy” when she went ahead with a treatment plan that “resonated” with her, “addressing emotional and physical factors associated with breast cancer.”
Earlier this week, the Australian supermodel revealed in her upcoming memoir that she took a holistic approach to her illness, going against doctors’ advice and her family’s wishes.
Elle revealed she rented a house in Arizona for eight months where she “holistically treated” her cancer under the guidance of her primary care physician, a naturopathic doctor, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor and two therapists.
Meanwhile, Mel Schilling recently gave fans an encouraging update on her health as she returned to Sydney to film the 2025 series of MAFS.
On Instagram, Mel shared her excitement about returning to Bondi Beach, where she will be living for the next few months.
The TV personality, who recently returned from the UK, spoke about how he is focusing on his health and recovery following his recent battle with colon cancer.
